hopefulundergrad wrote:So in another thread (or maybe this one) most UVA 1Ls have said they are coming in way under the $17k COL budget the school projected. Meaning they spent a lot less than 8.5k during the first semester.

Approximately, what was your COL (including rent) for this past fall? (Any UVA student feel free to answer this one)

So in another thread (or maybe this one) most UVA 1Ls have said they are coming in way under the $17k COL budget the school projected. Meaning they spent a lot less than 8.5k during the first semester.

Approximately, what was your COL (including rent) for this past fall? (Any UVA student feel free to answer this one)

Here is my monthly budget, roughly=

Rent: ~1000. I live at a fairly nice apartment complex 10 minutes from campus, with my better half. Not the nicest in Charlottesville but definitely towards the high end. Utilities: ~150 for gas and water, higher during very cold and very hot months.Cable/Internet: ~105. Way too many useless channels, boxes in two rooms, HD, sports package, premium channels, etc. Not trying to brag like a douche or anything, just giving you an idea of why it's so expensive. Car/gas: ~100: go up to DC every few weeks, oil changes, etc. Groceries/food: this one is complicated. We eat out a lot, but at fairly cheap places. This brings down our grocery bills, and we usually don't spend more than 200 or so a month on that. On the other hand, I'd say we spend up to 100 per WEEK eating out at Chipotle, Panera, mexican restaurants, law school, etc. You can save a lot of money here by eating at home, obviously.

We have other expenses, like cell phones and car payments and such, but those payments aren't any different here than they would be elsewhere. Also worth mentioning that I haven't spent more than $20, combined, on drinks since I came here, but I'm sure many of my classmates are dropping considerable amounts on drinking at bars every weekend.

hopefulundergrad wrote:So in another thread (or maybe this one) most UVA 1Ls have said they are coming in way under the $17k COL budget the school projected. Meaning they spent a lot less than 8.5k during the first semester.

Approximately, what was your COL (including rent) for this past fall? (Any UVA student feel free to answer this one)

~14k. Chipotle every day adds up.

I need to catch you on a good day. Half the time your answers are substantive and thought-provoking. Other times...

To be fair, when that check cleared, my initial financial decisions were.... imprudent.

hopefulundergrad wrote:So in another thread (or maybe this one) most UVA 1Ls have said they are coming in way under the $17k COL budget the school projected. Meaning they spent a lot less than 8.5k during the first semester.

Approximately, what was your COL (including rent) for this past fall? (Any UVA student feel free to answer this one)

~14k. Chipotle every day adds up.

I need to catch you on a good day. Half the time your answers are substantive and thought-provoking. Other times...

To be fair, when that check cleared, my initial financial decisions were.... imprudent.

hopefulundergrad wrote:So I know merit aid notifications are sent mid-late March but will these awards be viewable through the SIS financial aid section at the same time the decisions are made? Not that I'm be super anxious about knowing two or three days earlier, but are all awards, both merit and need-based, reflected there?

Yes, but there might be some lag before it shows up on SIS. In fact, I guarantee there will be some lag before it shows up on SIS.

3.5+ or law review = any and every firm in the country will take you3.3+ = most of the Vault top 10 law firms.3.0+ = Almost any non "Vault 10" firm in the country.

What would be a similar breakdown for UVA?

3.7+ (better than top decile) = most firms will take you if you're bidding smartly and aren't a douche. of course nothing is guaranteed ITE.3.5+ (around top quartile) = should get a Biglaw job if you don't have Asperger syndrome.3.3+ (median) = bid conservatively at OGI (avoid DC), pray3.0+ (almost bottom decile) = kill self

It seems like hiring was all over the place, with some high GPA people striking out and some students near median managing to snag midlaw offers or market-paying jobs in secondary markets. Obviously LR helps, but LR won't make up for deficient grades, e.g., a 3.0 with LR still won't have as good prospects as a non-LR 3.5. I think bidding choices and personality mattered a lot more than in the past for the last two OGIs.

Last edited by lawimbecile on Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.